Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Shamong officials report May mass-rescue, new firetruck and EMS funding strain
Summary
OEM and fire officials described a May 23 river rescue that became a mass-casualty response (all rescued), said a new firetruck will be in service soon, and warned that statewide shifts from volunteer to paid EMS are increasing local costs and prompting the township to solicit service bids.
Township public-safety officials gave residents a series of operational updates on June 9, including a May 23 kayak rescue that required broad mutual aid, the imminent service entry of a new firetruck, and the ongoing challenge of maintaining EMS coverage amid statewide shifts to paid staffing.
John Lions, the township’s Office of Emergency Management coordinator, described the May 23 incident as a large rescue within township boundaries that briefly was treated as a mass-casualty incident. Mutual aid from Indian Mills Fire, Tabernacle Rescue, Burlington County partners and others responded; Lions said all individuals were rescued without lasting injury.
Fire Chief Mike Bader said the department’s new apparatus is expected to enter service within one to two weeks after final handwork on lettering and graphics. The chief thanked volunteers and noted the new unit will be shown once graphics are applied.
The mayor and committee discussed broader EMS funding pressure: Tabernacle Rescue Squad’s submitted report showed high shift coverage (99.7% for April) and that Shamong accounted for 48 calls (33.3% of their calls). Officials said volunteer EMS models statewide are giving way to paid staffing, which has increased costs. The township has formed a committee to solicit letters of interest and bids from neighboring providers to secure response capacity at competitive cost; officials said they will meet again in the coming weeks.
Next steps: the township will continue soliciting proposals for EMS coverage, report back on costs and options at future meetings, and the fire department plans a community event once the new truck is lettered and placed in service.
